Overhead cable termination arrangement

ABSTRACT

A method of terminating a cable includes: a) providing an overhead cable pathway structure that defines a cable-carrying region; b) mounting adapters to the overhead cable pathway structure outside of the cable-carrying region; c) routing a cable from the cable-carrying region of the overhead cable pathway structure to the adapter mounted to the cable pathway structure; and d) terminating the cable to the adapter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to methods and devices for use in thetelecommunications industry. More specifically, this disclosure relatesto methods and devices for use in managing and organizingtelecommunications cables and cable termination components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the telecommunications industry, effective management andorganization of cables and associate cable termination components isnecessary in light of the massive cabling schematics involved inproviding telecommunication services. Telecommunication facilities, suchas data centers or central offices, for example, often have rows ofequipment racks and/or equipment cabinets interconnected to cablesrouted overhead. The cabling schematics of such facilities involvedropping cables down from overhead troughs or ladders, for example, andterminating the cables to termination panels mounted on the racks or inthe cabinets.

Space to accommodate the increasing demand for telecommunicationservices is limited. Improvements are needed in the methods and devicesfor managing and organizing the systems, cabling schematics, andcomponents associated with providing telecommunication services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an overhead cable management systemincluding a cable termination device that mounts to an overhead cablepathway structure. The overhead cable pathway structure can include, forexample, a U-shaped trough or a ladder-type structure. The overheadarrangement of the cable termination device allots more space onequipment racks or in equipment cabinets for telecommunicationequipment.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cabletermination device mounted to a cable trough, in accordance with theprinciples disclosed;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a telecommunications system, includingmultiple embodiments of cable termination devices mounted to a cabletrough, in accordance with the principles disclosed;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the cable termination device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the cable termination device ofFIG. 1, shown in isolation;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the cable termination device ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cabletermination device mounted to a cable ladder, in accordance with theprinciples disclosed;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the cable termination device ofFIG. 6, shown in isolation;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the cable termination device ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, rear perspective view of the cable terminationdevice of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment of a cabletermination device, in accordance with the principles disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an overhead cable management system10 in accordance with the principles disclosed. The overhead cablemanagement system 10 is designed to manage and organize cables andrelated components to increase capacity in limited telecommunicationfacility space. The overhead cable management system 10 of the presentdisclosure generally includes a cable termination panel or device 12that mounts to an overhead cable pathway structure 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, in telecommunication facilities, such as datacenters or central offices, for example, overhead cable pathwaystructures 14 are hung above racks (e.g. 54), cabinets (e.g., 56),and/or other equipment enclosures or framework. The overhead cablepathway structures 14 carry cables 58 that interconnect to equipment 64mounted on the racks 54, for example. For purposes of simplification,the remaining description refers to the structure to which the equipment64 mounts as a “rack;” however, it is to be understood that the presentdisclose applies similarly to the other equipment structures (e.g.,cabinets and other enclosures or framework).

The “overhead” cable pathway structures are typically run “overhead,” asracks commonly have a height equivalent or greater than the height of atechnician. It is to be understood that “overhead” is not intended to belimiting to the height of technician, but rather means that the cablepathway structures are located a distance from the floor 66, typicallyoverhead, but more commonly above the structure to which the equipmentis mounted (e.g. the rack or cabinet). In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the overhead cable pathway structure is a U-shapedchannel or trough 16. In another embodiment, such as is shown in FIG. 6,the overhead cable pathway structure is a ladder-type structure 116.Other types of structures that carry cables overhead to and from racksor cabinets can be used in accordance with the principles disclosed.

In utilizing the space above equipment racks for the “run” of cables, itcan be understood that cable pathway structure provides a generallyhorizontal run for the cables. That is, the cable pathway structures areconstructed such that the cables run more horizontally, than vertically,when carried by the cable pathway structure.

In conventional arrangements, cables carried by the overhead cablepathway structures are pulled down from the overhead structure andterminated to a termination panel mounted on the equipment racks.Termination panels are panels to which overhead cables are terminatedand generally include a number of adapters or connectors. Jumper cablesor patch cords are used to provide interconnections between thetermination panel and the equipment mounted on the rack. The racks inconventional facility arrangements hold both the equipment and thetermination panel to which the cables terminate, the termination paneloccupying at least one of the limited number of unit spaces of the rack.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the overhead cable management system of thepresent disclosure improves upon the spatial utilization of racks andfacilities. That is, the overhead cable management system increasesservice capacity of a facility by providing cable terminations at alocation other than the rack. Cable terminations are instead provided inunoccupied space located above the racks. Valuable rack space canthereby be allocated for more equipment, as opposed to being constrainedby the requirement of a termination panel.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable terminationdevices (e.g. 12, 112, 212) of the present system include a plurality ofcable terminations (e.g. 18, 118, 218) to which the overhead cables 58terminate. The termination devices mount to the overhead pathwaystructure 14, as opposed to being mounted to a rack (e.g. 54). Cablescarried by the overhead cable pathway structure 14 are routed to thecable terminations (18, 218) of the device, and terminated. Jumpercables or patch cords 59 provide interconnections between thetermination panels or devices (12, 112, 212) and the equipment 64mounted on the equipment racks 54.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment, the cable terminationdevice 12 generally includes the plurality of cable terminations 18(e.g., adapters or connectors), a mounting bracket 20, and a cablepathway exit 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of cableterminations 18 are defined by sliding adapters or sliding adapter packs24 used for the termination of fiber optic cables. The sliding adapterpacks 24 include an array of adapters, such as LC, SC, ST or FC typeadapters, to which optical fibers terminate.

In some applications, copper cables may be used coextensively with orexclusively from fiber optic cables; and accordingly the cableterminations can include various types of wire terminations or wireconnectors. It is to be understood that the principles of the presentlydisclosed overhead system can be used in fiber optic applications,copper applications, applications having hybrid cabling, or applicationshaving both types of fiber optic and copper cabling.

The sliding adapters 24 of the termination device 12 are mounted to themounting bracket 20, which mounts the adapters 24 to the overhead cablepathway structure 14. The sliding adapters 24 slide (see FIG. 4) in adirection away from the overhead cable pathway structure 14 to providetermination access to the adapters. Further details of sliding adaptersthat can be used in the present system are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,497,444 and 6,591,051; which patents are incorporated herein byreference. Divider walls 25 are provided for organizing the separationof cables routed to sliding adapters 24.

Referring still to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting bracket 20 of the cabletermination device 12 has a bulkhead or mounting plate 26 and bracketarms 28. The cable terminations 18 are secured or mounted to the plate26. The plate 26 is vertically oriented to correspond to the particularconfiguration of the cable terminations 18 (i.e., the sliding adapters24).

The bracket arms 28 extend rearwardly from the mounting plate 26. Thebracket arms 28 partly define a mounting arrangement 68 that detachablysecures or mounts the device 12 at a selected location along theoverhead cable pathway structure 14. Also, the mounting arrangement 68is designed so that the cable termination device 12 can be selectivelymounted at one of many locations along the length of the overhead cablepathway structure 14; and can later be moved if needed.

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bracket arms 28 of the mountingbracket 20 each include a flange 30 that defines a slot 32. The slots 32are sized to receive threaded fasteners 34. The threaded fasteners 34thread into winged retaining pieces 36. As illustrated in FIG. 3, thewinged retaining pieces 36 are sized to fit within a slot 38 formed inmounting structure 40 of the U-shaped cable trough 16. The mountingarrangement 68 (including the winged nut 36 and the slot 38 of theU-shaped cable trough 16) permits the technician to mount the cabletermination device 12 in any desired position along the trough 16relative to the racks 54, as needed (see FIG. 2, for example). Referringto FIG. 5, each of the bracket arms 28 also includes a stabilizingextension 44. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stabilizing extension 44rests upon the sidewall of the trough 16 to stabilize the cabletermination device 12 when mounted to the trough 16.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 3, the cable pathway exit 22 of thetermination device 12 generally has an inner portion 50 and an outerportion 52. The inner portion 50 of the cable pathway exit 22 is locatedwithin a cable-carrying region 60 of the overhead cable pathwaystructure 14 when the device 12 is mounted to the structure 14. Theouter portion 52 of the cable pathway exit 22 is located outside of thecable-carrying region 60 when the device is mounted to the structure 14.The cable-carrying region 60 is the region in which cables (e.g. 58) lieor run when carried by the overhead cable pathway structure 14. Thecable-carrying region 60 of the U-shape trough 16 (FIG. 1), for example,is generally the volume of space defined by the U-shaped trough.Likewise, the cable-carrying region 160 (FIG. 6) of the ladder-typestructure 116 is generally the region defined above the footprint of theladder structure. The cable terminations 18 of the presently disclosedcable termination device 12 are located outside of the cable-carryingregion 60, 160 of the overhead cable pathway structure.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner and outer portions 50, 52 ofthe cable pathway exit 22 are interconnected by a curved surface 42. Thecurved surface 42 guides cables exiting from the overhead cable pathwaystructure 14 toward the plurality of cable terminations 18. Preferably,the curved surface 42 has a radius that prevents the cables fromexceeding a minimum bend radius. The cable termination device 12 canfurther include fingers 46 to retain the cables that are exiting theoverhead cable pathway structure 14. The fingers 46 aid to retain thecables within the cable pathway exit 22, and on the curved surface 42 toprevent the cables from exceeding a minimum bend radius. In theillustrated embodiment, the fingers 46 are located at opposite edges ofthe curved surface 42 of the cable pathway exit 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the cable termination device 12 alsoincludes curved lead-in structures 62 that transition the run of thecables 58 from a first direction to a second perpendicular direction.That is, cables running horizontally within the structure 14 transitionabout the curved lead-in structures 62 to a perpendicular, vertical runleading toward the cable terminations 18 of the device 12. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the cables transition from ahorizontal run to a run that goes up and over the sidewall of theU-shaped trough 16.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the curved lead-in structures 62 can includecurved guide walls 64. The curved guide walls 64 mount to the innerportion 50 of the cable pathway exit 22; although the guide walls 64 canalso be formed integrally with the curved surface 42 of the cablepathway exit 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, another embodiment of an overhead cablemanagement system 100 is illustrated. Similar to the previousembodiment, this overhead cable management system 100 generally includesa cable termination panel or device 112 that mounts to an overhead cablepathway structure 114 (e.g., the ladder-type structure 116).

Referring to FIG. 6, the cable termination device 112 of the overheadcable management system 100 includes a plurality of cable terminations118 to which cables (e.g., 58) are terminated, a mounting bracket 120,and a cable pathway exit 122.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of cable terminations 118are MPO type adapters 124 to which cables having multiple optical fibers(e.g., twelve optical fibers) terminate. As previously discussed, othertypes of adapters or connectors can be used exclusively or incombination with the MPO adapters 124. The adapters 124 illustrated inFIG. 5 are mounted to the mounting bracket 120, which mounts theadapters 124 to the overhead cable pathway structure 114.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the mounting bracket 120 of the cabletermination device 112 has a bulkhead or mounting plate 126 and bracketarms 128. The cable terminations 118 are secured or mounted to the plate126 (e.g., by fasteners threaded through holes 125 (FIG. 9) formed inthe plate 126). The plate 126 in this embodiment is horizontallyoriented to corresponds to the particular type and configuration of thecable terminations 118 (i.e., MPO adapters 124); however such adapterscould alternatively be mounted to a non-horizontal mounting plate.

The bracket arms 128 of the mounting bracket 120 extend rearwardly fromthe mounting plate 126. The bracket arms 128 are secured to a ladderbracket piece 170 that partly defines a mounting arrangement 168. Thebracket arms 128 in this embodiment are the same as that of the previousembodiment for purposes of manufacturing. It can be understood thatother bracket arm configurations that secure to a ladder bracket piececan be used in accordance with the principles disclosed. The mountingarrangement 168 of this second embodiment detachably secures or mountsthe device 112 at a selected location along the overhead cable pathwaystructure 114. Also, the mounting arrangement of the device 112 isdesigned so that the device can be selectively mounted at one of manylocations along the length of the overhead cable pathway structure 114;and can later be moved if needed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the mounting bracket 120 includes the firstladder bracket piece 170 and a corresponding second bracket plate 172.The first bracket piece 170 has a hooked flange 178 that engages, forexample, a top edge 180 (FIG. 9) of the ladder structure 116. The secondbracket plate 172 has an opposing hooked flange 182 that engages abottom edge 184 of the ladder structure 116.

The second bracket plate 172 of the mounting bracket 120 is constructedto slide relative to the first bracket piece 170 to engage the overheadcable pathway structure 114 and secure the device 112 at the desiredlocation. In particular, the first bracket piece 170 includes guides 174located along the side of the bracket piece that receive edges 176 ofthe second bracket plate 172. The edges 176 of the second bracket plate172 vertically slide within the guides 174 of the first bracket piece170 such that the hooked flanges 178, 182 capture and engage theoverhead cable pathway structure 114. The sliding mounting arrangement168 defined by the first bracket piece 170 and the second bracket plate172 is adjustable to accommodate or match the mounting heightconfiguration (e.g., H, FIG. 9) of more than one type of overhead cablepathway structure.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the first bracket piece 170 and thesecond sliding bracket plate 172 includes a tab 186, 188 that defines ahole 132, 190 (FIG. 8). The holes 132, 190 are sized to receive afastener 134 (FIG. 9) that secures the bracket piece 170 and the slidingplate 172 in relation to one another, and in relation to the overheadcable pathway structure 114. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9,the fastener 134 includes a threaded bolt secured in place by a wingnut. Other types of fastening devices can be used to secure the bracketpiece 170 and sliding plate 172 in relation to one another.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the cable pathway exit 122 of the device 112has a curved surface 142 similar to that of the previous embodiment. Thecurved surface guides cables from the overhead cable pathway structure114 (FIG. 6) toward the plurality of cable terminations 118. Preferably,the curved surface has a radius that prevents the cables from exceedinga minimum bend radius. Fingers 146 can be provided to retain cablesexiting the overhead cable pathway structure 114.

Referring back to FIG. 6, also similar to the previous embodiment, thecable pathway exit 122 generally has an inner portion 150 located withinthe cable-carrying region 160 of the overhead structure 114 when thedevice 112 is mounted to the structure 114, and an outer portion 152located outside of the cable-carrying region 160. The adapters 124 ofthe device 112 are located outside of the cable-carrying region 160 ofthe overhead cable pathway structure 114.

Referring now to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of a cable terminationpanel or device 212 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 2, this cabletermination device 212 includes mounting structure 220 that mounts to aU-shaped cable trough 16.

Cable terminations 218 of the termination device of FIG. 10 include bothMPO type adapters 224 (shown with dust caps) and LC type adapters 225(shown with dust plugs). The adapters 224, 225 of this device 212 arepart of a module 248 that secures to the mounting bracket 220. The MPOtype adapters 224 are mounted to a rear wall 292 of the module 248; theLC type adapters 225 are mounted to a corrugated front wall 294 of themodule 248. The MPO type adapters 224 are interconnected to the LC typeadapters 225 via internal circuitry and/or cables (not shown) containedwithin the module 248. Further details of an example module 248 aredescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/655,764; which application isincorporated herein by reference. As can be understood, the types ofadapters (e.g., 24, 124, 224, 225) and the mounting bracketconfiguration (e.g. 20, 120) of the devices can be mixed and matched toaddress the particular needs of an application.

In the alternative, the device 212 of FIG. 10 can be provided with astraight pass-through arrangement wherein only the corrugated front wall294 of the module is mounted to the mounting bracket 220. The overheadcables 58 terminating to the LC type adapters 225 or other adaptertypes, as opposed to an intermediate MPO type adapter 224.

The overhead pathway devices (e.g., 12, 112, 212) of the presentdisclosure minimize the amount of rack space needed in a data center,central office, or other telecommunications facility. Alternatively, thedevices allow for expansion and/or upgrade of systems in facilitieshaving spatial constraints, and can be added without having to add racksor cabinets. The devices also are designed to be easily incorporatedinto existing systems, i.e., mounted to exiting ladder structures, forexample, without incurring costs associated with replacing or upgradingexisting racks or existing overhead structures.

In addition, the present devices do not interfere with cooling pathwaysof existing systems. For instance, in conventional methods, expandingthe capacity of cabinets often requires the installation of additionaltermination panels within the cabinets. The added panels can block airflow needed to cool the electrical components inside the cabinet.Because the added panels or devices of the present system are mountedoverhead, the panels or devices do not obstruct the air flow passagesthrough the cabinet.

The above specification provides a complete description of the presentinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of terminating a cable, the methodcomprising the steps of: running a first fiber optic cable along anoverhead pathway having a linear portion, the overhead pathway beingpositioned above and spaced apart from telecommunications equipmentpositioned on a floor, and the linear portion extending horizontallyabove the telecommunications equipment to support the first fiber opticcable along the overhead pathway; terminating the first fiber opticcable at an adapter coupled to the overhead pathway, wherein the adapteris positioned outside of the linear portion; running a second fiberoptic cable from the adapter downward to the telecommunicationsequipment; and terminating the second fiber optic cable at thetelecommunications equipment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theoverhead pathway is a trough or a ladder.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising running the first fiber optic cable from the overheadpathway, over a cable pathway exit, and to the adapter.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising positioning the telecommunications equipmentin a rack located on the floor.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising using a mounting bracket to couple the adapter to theoverhead pathway.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising slidingthe adapter away from the overhead pathway to access a termination ofthe adapter.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the mounting bracketdetachably mounts the adapter at a selected location along the overheadpathway.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising threading athreaded fastener into a winged retaining piece of a mounting bracket tocouple the adapter to the overhead pathway.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the overhead pathway is a trough having a mounting structurethat includes a slot; and the method further comprises: fitting thewinged retaining piece into the slot for mounting the adapter in aposition along the trough.